What's wrong with the pledge?

The pledge of allegiance, with its references to "Richard Stans" and our "invisible" nation, is mis-quoted every morning by public school children across the nation. There are those, however, who are unhappy about this, most famously because of the two-word phrase added in the 1950's in order to ward off the communist threat.

The pledge was written in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the new world by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and Christian Socialist. The original version was "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In the 1920's, "my Flag" was changed, against Bellamy's wishes, to "the Flag of the United States of America."

The phrase "under God" was added in 1954 due to pressure from the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization. According to Bellamy's granddaughter, the original author would not have approved of this change either. There is a lot of opposition to the recitation of the pledge, as it stands, by schoolchildren, most notably by Michael Newdow, an attorney and physician who, in 2000, filed a lawsuit in order to make sure his daughter could "go to public school free from daily theistic indoctrination."

A lot of people, however, don't get what all the hoopla is about -- why not just let it be, especially since the Supreme Court has ruled that students are not required to recite it? There are a number of reasons, actually, so in the interest of fostering understanding on this, the anniversary of our nation's birth, here are some of them:

First off, other than their parents, a child's teacher and principal are the main figures of authority that a child will come in contact with. As such, and as representatives of the government, their role in leading the pledge gives the impression that this is a religious nation. Barry Mark, a historian of religion, says "I lived in Jerusalem on a few separate occasions and witnessed first hand what happens when democratic ideals become entangled with theocratic ones." I'd just as soon my kids grow up knowing our country is a secular one.

Second, when a child's parents do not believe in a higher power, the affirmation by their teacher that not only is there a God, but that our country is subordinate to it, sets up a conflict between the two authority figures. Children are, hopefully, told to listen to their teacher and obey them, but what about when what the teacher says is the opposite of what the parents say? Who should the child listen to?

This can, however, be seen as an opportunity to teach a child about differing belief sets. "I consider the fact that my daughter says 'the Pledge' an opportunity to continue a conversation with her about these issues and the circumstances out of which they have come to exist," says Mr. Mark. "Stepping into public school, she becomes part of a complex society with a lion's share of problems and contradictions."

Lastly, there is the implied acceptance of the existence of God, something that not everyone agrees upon. "My son has told me he doesn't believe in god, and I believe him," says Michael Gene Sullivan, who adapted Orwell's novel, 1984 for the stage. "Forcing him to say he does violates his rights to freedom of belief."

Even the alternative -- not reciting the pledge -- is not really acceptable. Mr. Mark explains: "To me, the opt-out approach is like putting a band aid on a bruise; the bleeding is internal, so there is no real change in the situation, even though some comfort might be achieved by such an act. Imposed marginalization, whether done by parents or school authorities, can be detrimental to a kid's legitimate desire to be part of the group."

So what's a parent to do? Well, Mr. Sullivan, who also writes, directs, and acts with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, a satirical theatre company that specializes in political commentary, says simply, "I have a history of mocking it."

Our personal solution is a bit different -- rather than stand by and let the status quo remain in place, my son, Jared, proudly recites our version, in which "under God" is replaced by "under nobody." It works for us and so far, we've had the full support of other parents and Jared's teachers.

TheTalkies:RelatedVideos

Car Crisis Leaves Ford Struggling in EuropeFord just can't seem to get a break in Europe. The parent company may be enjoying a revival in the U.S. but its European offshoot is bleeding cash and struggling with overcapacity. A previous pledge to cut jobs and close plants may now not be enough. The situation in Europe certainly isn't helping companies like Ford. The latest figures show sales down by 15.9 percent in the euro zone in March, and there is little sign of an upturn in the second half.

Ed Balls to Unveil Childcare PlanWorking parents will receive 25 hours of free childcare a week under a Labour government for any children they have aged three and four, Ed Balls will pledge today.

ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)

I think Canadians should go to school in Canada....how is that? You can say whatever you want there! OK..ridiculous comment, but so is they shouldn't be forced to say something they don't believe. But wait...you WANT to be American citizens, so you'll believe it then, but not now? I'm suspect of the whole thing. Maybe Canada IS where you belong.

Nobody is forced to say the pledge. You have the option of standing respectfully, but not putting your hand over your heart, and not reciting the pledge. But you (generally speaking you) want MORE than that...you not only want to not say it, you want to remove the opportunity for everyone else because you don't want your little feelings hurt when you CHOOSE to take a stand that goes against the majority of our population.

You want both the desire to be part of the group protected, and you want to ability to change the way the group operates to suit YOUR individual needs. Hmm....

And lastly, separation OF church and state is different that separation FROM church and state. Nobody said that you would't be confronted with religious symbols, references, etc....only that you wouldn't be persecuted if you don't believe the same. Your feelings are not protected. You do NOT have the right NOT to be offended.

Oh...and human secularism is most certainly a religion that is taught in our classroom each and every day.

And finally, the the person that thinks those ofus that want Christian principals taught in public schools ...how about giving us back our tax money that is used to fund schools that completley violate MY belief system so that I can afford to send them to private schools?

Roger, great article. This is always an interesting subject to me andI see there have been several thoughtful comments made. (Some just rude, but then you will always get that with the anonymity of media such as this.) Many people argue the of/from distinction to support a specific position in this debate. However, separation OF church and state does not mean that the state can endorse a particular religion to the exclusion of others without violating the principle of the word "separation." For those who seem to not understand the word separation, I'll remind them: the act or process of separating (to set or keep apart : disconnect, sever b: to make a distinction between); the state of being separated; a point, line, or means of division (Merriam-Webster).

But the "separation" argument is not actually in the Consitution atall. The language addressing this topic is in the First Amendment,and states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." So you are free to practice your religion and me, mine, but the U.S. government has no business favoring one over the other with specific references to that one on our money, in our schools, etc. Schools are for teaching reading and math, not Christianity. Do that at home - I'm sure you would do it better than a teacher who may not share your particular set of beliefs. I don't understand why so many feel the public school system is the appropriate avenue for teaching about Christianity, but go into spasms at the idea of those same teachers educating about sex. There are just some things that I feel, as a parent, are my responsibility - morality, sex ed, and religion are definitely mine. However, when my child inevitablity encounters those topics at school, I will do as Mr. Mark does, and use the moment to reinforce our family's values.

When I was young we did the pledge of allegiance every day, and learned all patriotic songs. It is so sad to see my twenty one year old not even know the words to God Bless America because of these liberal idiots from foreign countires. Go back where you came from

Has anybody noticed how bad our schools and children have gotten since God was taken out? We teach our children that there is no God and to put faith in nothing. What kind of life is that. No wonder today's kids do nothing but rot their minds with video games and shoot their classmates.

America was founded by God-fearing men and women. Read the entire National Anthem that was penned during the 1812 War. God is everywhere in the stanzas that are not commonly heard. There were no complaints. One part of the Anthem states: "In God is our Trust" (from which our "In God We Trust" coinage is derived). The Anthem doesn't name God by any other name but God. No one is left out but the atheists. It must make them itch a lot.

Children should listen to their parents and teachers, however that does not mean they cannot in a respectful manner question something that an authority figure on something such as the belief in god. Maybe you should encourage your child to question their teachers on what they say, if they feel or know they have the correct answer, after all isn't that what school is about the free exchange and debate of differing views based on knowledge contained with in approved text books.

In Response to Amy Wood: I was under the understanding that schools were a little older than Christianity have you ever heard of Ancient Greece?

Schools are supervised by the state governments that have to abide by what was written in the Constitution, such as the Separation of Church and State. This clause was put into the constitution to assure that no religious organization can rule over what I like to call a democracy not a theocracy.

Yes it does reference a supreme creator however it does not reference Christianity or any other specific religion for a reason. The people who wrote it did not want any bias towards one religion because they knew that bias can cause harm.

Does anyone want to join me on a "grass roots campaign" to put God back in our schools? Let me know.

I am tired of being BULLIED by these wierd liberals and athiest. If they don't like what our country is about and what we believe, they are "free" to use their own money to start a private school where they are free to teach whatever it is that "feels good". The rest of us would like to restore order and go back to what worked--PUT GOD BACK IN OUR SCHOOLS. I am tired of using my hard earned money to pay for their children to go to school, and I have now been forced to save to send mine to private school. It should be the other way around, shouldn't it?

I attended public schools most of my life. Back when we would start the day with prayer and the pledge--I can remember a particular time when some of my friends were making fun of a girl because she was an athiest. In third grade, I knew better than to mistreat others based on their beliefs. Keep in mind, that was because of the upbringing I had.

I remember asking her what was wrong. When she told me, I took up for her and told her that it wasn't right of others to judge her. I felt sorry for her and knew that she was a sweet person.

I am telling you this so that you understand that even when God was allowed in public schools, people still allowed others to practice what they believe and felt was right. Have prayer in school probably brought out the best in people because it reminded others of respect and understanding.